Everything you need to know you learn in Primary

Shelby, Anna, Melissa, me

Leaving Kentucky brought some interesting feelings in Ammon and me. For so long, we didn't like it. Then, what seemed like just weeks later, we were putting off packing until the last minute. We knew it was coming and that it would come eventually, but when the time came, we finally agreed that we had waited so long because we were sad to leave home. Kentucky had become home. And it didn't even take us long to think so.

One reason I really became to fond of the place was my calling. The dang thing kept me so busy. I remember when they first called me and I really didn't know what to think. Primary SECRETARY? I wasn't organized for a job like that. Then, when I met the others in the presidency, I really thought I wasn't right for the job. I felt like I was so judgmental. I tried to get things done and there was so much that wasn't explained to me. I didn't know what a secretary did. And I didn't know how to ask. So, I did some research and a lot of praying and came up with my own ideas. Finally, after a few months, we got used to working together and my whole goal was to get every secretary duty in a binder and leave it for the next one to get my calling. No one left me anything before and they didn't have anything down for me and all I wanted was for the next person to know a little bit about the calling.

I realized. Everything you need to know you learn in primary. You learn the basics about going to the temple and about church attendance. You learn about how to share and how to give talks. You learn how to listen and how to sit still. But, you also learn other things. As a grown-up, you learn how to work with others. You learn how to listen to the others in primary to help the children learn more about the gospel. You learn how to help the spirit be in a room. You learn how important children are in the church. You learn about other grown-ups and how to work as a team.

Each of these women have had their husbands deploy numerous times. They have all done things alone. They have been in my footsteps and have done what I've done. It was SO comforting to have the examples of how to be a better wife and mother in a "military" sense. We've never been around other LDS families who are active military and active LDS. It was amazing to learn what I did and to learn how POSSIBLE it is to be both.

I learned from our president, Shelby, how important it is to listen to your presidency. She was such a good example for this. She doesn't seem to be the type to be in the center of attention. She doesn't like everyone to know that she knows so much. She ALWAYS listened to our suggestions and 99% of the time, never said anything negative about anything we had to say. I learned from her how important it is to be a leader and to be a good leader, you have to have help. But to have help, you have to listen to others.

Me and Melissa one freezing snowy Sunday

From Melissa (the 1st counselor), I learned how to be more humble. She was so sweet. I will always remember how sweet she was and how she always wanted everyone to know about the things I did. Our last Sunday, I won't ever forget, she talked to all the kids and told them that everything that was good about our primary was because of me, WHICH was COMPLETELY untrue, but it was so sweet that she would even say it in the first place. She saw to me getting a journal signed by our teachers and by the three of them, which made me cry. She told me I was one of the best women she's ever met and that she sees that one day, many military women will look to me as their light. Now, do I believe any of these things? Absolutely not. But, I learned from her how important it is to praise others when they do something right and how to really talk good of others. She was always one to compliment and always one to say nice things when nice things were due.

And from Anna, the 2nd counselor, I learned how to not only be a better mom, but how to take counsel. She was so wonderful. She NEVER EVER wanted to take credit for her good ideas. She never wanted praise. She never wanted to be in charge, even though she was VERY capable. She had so many wonderful ideas and always did what she should. She NEVER talked bad about ANYONE at all and was always the first to volunteer her time and her talents. Her husband is one of the only Marines on Fort Knox, so we learned how she is going to be transferred to North Carolina when we are in the summer. We are so excited!

The week before we left, the three of them, with Melissa's son, CJ, all took me to Texas Roadhouse and all got me little gifts. It was so sweet and I was so lucky to have these women as examples to me. I will greatly miss my calling, them, but especially the children of the Brandenburg Ward Primary! I can still remember their sweet voices and how wonderful it is to be around them. Primary really is the best place to have a calling and I honestly hope I can stay there for the rest of my life!